Inertia Posted September 3, 2012 Posted September 3, 2012 I currently have a Rotel RA 870BX and a Macbook Air holding a FLAC library. I need a pair of book shelf speakers and a usb DAC to complete the system, however I am completely unsure which ones to get. My budget is 1k and from differing parties some are saying that one DAC is as good as another whilst some say there are distinct differences. So I am uncertain how much of this budget I should allocate to speakers and to the DAC. Any advice is greatly appreciated Sam
Batty Posted September 3, 2012 Posted September 3, 2012 There is a NFB2 DAC in the classified for $335 3 inputs USB, COAX and OPT
pete_mac Posted September 3, 2012 Posted September 3, 2012 Welcome! I'm an audio-gd and Usher fanboy, so I'm going to chime in with the audio-gd NFB 2.1 asynchronous USB DAC and a pair of Usher S520 speakers. I'd expect the 80wpc Rotel to drive the Ushers fairly well. 1
buddyev Posted September 3, 2012 Posted September 3, 2012 (edited) You can get the Usher 520 from Trevor Lees in Kew for $350. http://stores.ebay.com.au/Trevor-Lees-Audio They also have the Epos Epic 1 for $500ish. I haven't heard them but they would be worth a listen. I'm about to sell a cambridge audio dacmagic. Pm me if you're interested. Edited September 4, 2012 by buddyev
DAMO 1147 Posted September 4, 2012 Posted September 4, 2012 Welcome! I'm an audio-gd and Usher fanboy, so I'm going to chime in with the audio-gd NFB 2.1 asynchronous USB DAC and a pair of Usher S520 speakers. I'd expect the 80wpc Rotel to drive the Ushers fairly well. Thats the go - I like the Schiit Bifrost - but hard to go past the audio-gd @ 335- 350 for the ushers you just cant go wrong with that.
pete_mac Posted September 4, 2012 Posted September 4, 2012 Yeah, the Bifrost is a cracking little DAC too. Different flavour to the audio-gd gear, but extremely good for the money, and there's the option of asynch USB too.
SteveC Posted September 4, 2012 Posted September 4, 2012 Shameless plug for non-USB Bifrost in my sig below.
Inertia Posted September 4, 2012 Author Posted September 4, 2012 Wow, thanks for the replies guys. Wasn't expecting so much of the budget going towards a DAC. Trevor Lees is only a few minutes away so ill check out the ushers sometime this weekend. Where is the best place to get an Audio GD DAC? Rock The World could you please link me to the one that you saw for sale, I couldn't find it. Do you guys have any other speaker recommendations in case the Ushers are not to my liking?
pete_mac Posted September 4, 2012 Posted September 4, 2012 There's an audio-gd NFB-2 and NFB3.1 in the For Sale classifieds on this forum right now Otherwise, buy direct from audio-gd in china at www.audio-gd.com or from addictedtoaudio.com.au While you're at Trevor Lees, check out the Epos speakers in the sub-$500 price bracket too. In terms of sound I think you'll find that they are polar opposites to the Ushers, as they are quite smooth and laid-back.
buddyev Posted September 4, 2012 Posted September 4, 2012 Buying used from someone on this forum should be very safe - the gear will most likely have been looked after and it will get you quality for a reduced price, so i'd definitely consider those audio gd here. As pete says above have a listen to the epos epic 1 at teevor lees. I have had other epos speakers and have really liked them- they are worth checking out together to see which type of sound you prefer. The dac is really imprtant and will make the difference between ordinary sound and something special. You could check addicted to audio - small place in kew just down the road lees- they stock audio gd i think.
DAMO 1147 Posted September 5, 2012 Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) The other speaker usually recomended v the Usher is the Warfedale 10.1 or 10.2., i have not heard them often said to sound warmer. Mr J Darko has reviewed both speakers with aplom. http://www.digitalau...y/loudspeakers/ The ushers way out perform the price poiint at 350 which allows you to get the better DAC. Edited September 5, 2012 by DAMO 1147
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